Performer surprised by injuries after traffic stop

Lauderhill P.D. conducting professional standards review

August 13, 2010|By Linda Trischitta, Sun Sentinel

OAKLAND PARK — Lauderhill police are investigating how a performer emerged from a traffic stop with head injuries last week.

Enrique Gonzalez, 49, says when he came out of a diabetic seizure that caused him to drive the wrong way on State Road 7, he had a broken nose and eye socket. Lauderhill police have opened a professional standards, or internal affairs, case on the Aug. 4 incident.

Gonzalez, a dancer, model and actor from Oakland Park, was not arrested after the stop at 1:20 a.m. near Plantation General Hospital.

Gonzalez was driving south on the northbound side of State Road 7, according to a Lauderhill police report.

"Enrique was very incoherent" and "did not follow orders," the unsigned report states. After he was out of the car, Gonzalez "became very aggressive" and "refused to be restrained," it says. He "kicked, fought and thrashed himself at officers as we attempted to restrain him."

Police said it took four officers to control Gonzalez, "as he is a very strong man."

Gonzalez says plunging blood sugar levels from the Type 1 diabetes diagnosed in his mid-20s caused vision and other problems.

"It compromises my logic and I was confused," he said about getting lost on his way from Georgie's Alibi bar in Wilton Manors to his home north of Oakland Park Boulevard. "I was never aggressive and am not by nature."

Gonzalez said when he got out of his car, a police officer pushed his head down to the pavement. But he cannot say who the officer was, or what department he or she may have been with.

"I think I could have passed out," Gonzalez said. "Next thing I remember I was on my back and they were taking off my Harley boots. I was so afraid. I was wondering if I was going to get raped."

Police handcuffed his wrists and put plastic ties around his ankles, the report states. The restraints were removed after Lauderhill Fire-Rescue confirmed Gonzalez had suffered a diabetic seizure.

He was treated for his insulin problems at Plantation General, where he also received stitches for a head wound and care for bruises and a broken left ring finger, in addition to the broken nose and eye socket.

"I think the police used excessive force," said Gonzalez's lawyer, David Kubiliun. "How did he end up with multiple fractures and cuts and not be charged with anything?"

Kubiliun called for an investigation.

Lauderhill Police Capt. Constance Stanley said, "We're investigating the entire incident. Who the responding officers were will come out in the investigation being done by professional standards, which is like internal affairs."

In 2001 Coral Gables Police arrested Gonzalez on suspicion of resisting an officer with violence. But charges were never filed.

"It was their say against mine," Gonzalez said.

Meanwhile the 6-foot-1 dancer had to withdraw from performing at an Aug. 20 corporate function at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa with dancer Susan Porter, in choreography set to George Gershwin's "American in Paris."

"He's a great partner, but I had to hire someone else," Porter said. "He can't do this. There are one-hand, overhead lifts."

Gonzalez, who is gay, and his lawyer say they are concerned police may have been reacting to his sexual orientation.

"I don't want this type of thing to happen to anyone else and definitely not to happen to me," Gonzalez said. "It's an abuse that's coming from the police, the people I used to trust."

Staff Researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report. Linda Trischitta can be reached at ltrischitta@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4233.